Number of parents using food banks has doubled since 2022

The number of parents in Ireland using food banks has doubled since 2022.

According to a new study by Barnardos and Aldi, there has been a major increase in parents using food banks and accepting food donations. Barnardos confirmed that one in ten parents used food banks or received a food donation over the past year. This number has doubled since they published their last survey. Barnardos stated; "An increasingly large proportion of children are living in homes where parents are relying more and more on vouchers from voluntary organisations or food packages from friends and family in order to provide their children with sufficient food." "Barnardos services has witnessed an increased need and demand for support around food over the past year, with staff reporting that more parents than ever are requesting food vouchers." Barnardos expressed their concerns about the impact the cost of living crisis is having on families. It is having a concerning impact on people's mental health, as well as their lifestyles.

"Parents tell us that they are often going without food themselves in order to provide food for their children"

Many families have had no choice but to cut down on things like clothes so they can pay bills. Barnardos said more needs to be done to support families during this cost of living crisis. Nearly half of those surveyed (43%) had to cut down on buying clothes to provide their children with food. 47% of parents said inflation has had a negative impact on pressures to afford food. Suzanne Connolly, CEO of Barnardos said: “We see far too many families, often one-parent families, really worried about being able to provide their children with enough food. "Parents tell us that they are often going without food themselves in order to provide food for their children. "They're also having to rely on others to get the food for them. Their hunger, or that of their child, is a constant and physical reminder of the financial pressure and of the hard decisions they have to make every day. "This is taking an emotional and physical toll on parents across the country."